Gaming device

ABSTRACT

A gaming device is disclosed. The gaming device has a game repeatedly executable to have a plurality of rounds; a display operable to indicate a mission and changeable images for respectively presenting tips in use of the game; a touch screen for selection of the images, the touch screen being superposed on the display; and a processor operable with the display and the touch screen to proceed with the game, randomly select one or more of the rounds to present the mission, change the images in association with the selection of images, generate the mission in the game, and calculate awards in association with combinations of the tips gotten in each the round and results whether the mission is accomplished.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromthe prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-274465 (filed on Sep. 21,2005); the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming device for providing a virtualgame implemented on a display, in which the game is repeatedlyexecutable with randomly provided missions.

2. Description of the Related Art

There had been proposed many gaming devices to provide virtual gamesimplemented on displays with the assistance of digital equipmentsinstead of using real items such as playing cards, dice and a slotmachine, in which games in the real world are ingeniously adapted tovirtual worlds on the displays. These gaming devices generally succeedin implementing simple actions of the real games, such as dealing cards,rolling dice and taking bets. However, complex actions are in generaluneasy to be implemented. Particularly in a case where the game isrepeatedly executed of a plurality of rounds, lack of complexity maygradually reduce player's enjoyment. It is desirable to provide playerswith new actions or schemes in any of the rounds for change of pace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming device havinga repeatedly executable game with randomly provided missions.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a gaming devicehas a game repeatedly executable to have a plurality of rounds; adisplay operable to indicate a mission and changeable images forrespectively presenting tips in use of the game; a touch screen forselection of the images, the touch screen being superposed on thedisplay; and a processor operable with the display and the touch screento proceed with the game, randomly select one or more of the rounds topresent the mission, change the images in association with the selectionof images, generate the mission in the game, and calculate awards inassociation with combinations of the tips gotten in each the round andresults whether the mission is accomplished.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a gaming devicehas a first game; a second game including a mission to be accomplished,the first game and the second game being repeatedly executable to have aplurality of rounds, the second game being randomly executed in any ofthe rounds instead of the first game; a display operable to indicate themission and changeable images for respectively presenting tips in use ofthe first game and the second game; a touch screen for selection of theimages, the touch screen being superposed on the display; and aprocessor operable with the display and the touch screen to randomlyselect and proceed with one of the first game and the second game,change the images in association with the selection of the images,generate the mission for the second game, and calculate awards inassociation with combinations of the tips gotten in each the round andresults whether the mission is accomplished.

Preferably, the gaming device is further provided with: an accept or toaccept betting by a player; and a payout device to payout the award.More preferably, the images include faces of dice and the tips includedice numbers. Still preferably, the tips include a table of thecombinations of the tips applicable to the selection by the touchscreen. Further preferably, the gaming device is further provided with astorage storing a mission table including a plurality of candidates forthe mission; and a random number generator generating a random number,wherein the processor selects any of the candidates in association withthe random number to generate the mission.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dice gaming device in accordance witha first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating a sub-gaming image displayedon a sub-display of the dice gaming device;

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating a main gaming image displayedon a main display of the dice gaming device;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of operations and change of dice in accordancewith the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mission gaming imagedisplayed on the main display;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the dice gaming device;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a LCD driver for driving liquid crystaldisplays;

FIG. 8 is one part of a flow chart of a main process program foroperating the dice gaming device;

FIG. 9 is another part of the flow chart of the main process program;

FIG. 10 is one part of a flow chart of a subroutine for processing amission game in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 11 is another part of the flow chart of the subroutine;

FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing illustrating a mission gaming image inaccordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 13 is one part of a flow chart of a surbroutine for processing amission game in accordance with the second embodiment; and

FIG. 14 is another part of the flow chart of the subroutine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Certain embodiments of the present invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the appended drawings, in which thepresent invention is applied to dice gaming devices for providing a dicegame of so-called “Yahtzee” displayed on a display.

(First Embodiment)

A dice gaming device 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of thepresent invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG.1.

The dice gaming device 1 has a cabinet 2 of a so-called slant type asshown in FIG. 1, which a player takes a seat to face to. On the top ofthe cabinet 2, a sub-display 3 preferably constituted of a liquidcrystal display (LCD) is provided. The sub-display 3 displays asub-gaming image 20 as shown in FIG. 2 for displaying a history of pastgames and payouts correspondent to scores, details of which will bedescribed later. The player may determine a direction and a tactics ofthe game by referring the sub-gaming image 20. A pair of speakers 4L and4R for sounding music, effective sounds and such accompanying the gameare disposed at left and right sides of the sub-display 3.

The cabinet 2 has a slant face in front, at a center of which a maindisplay 5 preferably constituted of LCD is disposed. The main display 5displays a main gaming image 30 with five dice as shown in FIG. 3,details of which will be described later. A transparent touch screen 6is superimposed on the main display 5 so as to cooperate with imagesdisplayed on the main display 5. The player uses the touch screen 6 andother buttons to process the game, and, in particular, touches aparticular portion of the touch screen 6 above one of displayed imagesof dice to select the die.

The cabinet 2 is provided with an operation table 7 gently slant towardthe player below the main display 5. A C/P (credit/payout) button 10 anda HELP button 11 are arranged on the operation table 7. A medalinsertion slot 12 is arranged on the right of the HELP button 11. A BETbutton 13, a MAXBET button 14, and a start button 15 are also arrangedon the operation table 7 as being nearer to the player.

The C/P button 10 is in general pushed down when the player is intendedfor terminating the game and serves for paying gaming medals in numbercorrespondent to a credit value which the player currently possesses(for example, one medal by one credit). Consequently, when the playerpushes the C/P button 10 down, gaming medals are paid out from a hopper90 shown in FIG. 6 to a medal payout tray 17. Unless the C/P button 10is pushed down, an award as a result of the game is automaticallydeposited as a credit in the game.

The C/P button 10 is equipped with a C/P switch 82 shown in FIG. 6housed therein to output a switching signal to CPU 73 shown in FIG. 6 ata time of being pushed down.

The HELP button 11 is in general pushed down when the player requires toknow helpful information such as a method for operation. Consequently,when the player pushes the HELP button 11, various helpful informationis displayed on the sub-display 3.

The HELP button 11 is equipped with a HELP switch 83 shown in FIG. 6housed therein to output a switching signal to CPU 73 shown in FIG. 6 ata time of being pushed down.

The BET button 13 is in general pushed down when the player betscredited gaming coins. Consequently, number of bets gets one incrementper one push on the BET button 13. For example, the game could beexecuted with the number of bets ranging from one to ten.

The BET button 13 is equipped with a BET switch 84 shown in FIG. 6housed therein to output a switching signal to CPU 73 shown in FIG. 6 ata time of being pushed down.

The MAXBET button 14 is in general pushed down when the player bets amaximum of credited gaming coins (in accordance with the above example,the maximum is limited to ten). Consequently, number of bets is set tobe ten by pushing the MAXBET button 14.

The MAXBET button 14 is equipped with a MAXBET switch 85 shown in FIG. 6housed therein to output a switching signal to CPU 73 shown in FIG. 6 ata time of being pushed down.

The START button 15 is pushed down when the player starts a game in thedice gaming device 1 based on the number of bets bet by pushing the BETbutton 13 or the MAXBET button 14. Consequently, when the player pushesthe START button 15, images relating to the “Yahtzee” game (describedlater) are displayed on the sub-display 3 and the main display 5.

The START button 15 is equipped with a START switch 86 shown in FIG. 6housed therein to output a switching signal to CPU 73 shown in FIG. 6 ata time of being pushed down.

A medal sensor 87 is provided in the medal insertion slot 12 and sensesinsertion of coins to output medal detection signals to the CPU 73,thereby credits correspondent to number of inserted coins are stored (inthis example, one credit per one coin).

The operation table 7 has an armrest 16 as substantially horizontallyprojecting toward the player. The armrest 16 is configured such that theplayer can lay his arms thereon during playing games.

The medal payout tray 17 is disposed below the operation table 7 and thearmrest 16 of the cabinet 2, and is connected to the hopper 90 housed inthe dice gaming device 1. Medals discharged by the hopper 90 are paidout to the medal payout tray 17 and then the player gets them. A medaldetector 93 is disposed inside the medal payout tray 17 and detectsnumber of medals paid-out to the medal payout tray 17.

The sub gaming image 20 displayed on the sub-display 3 and the maingaming image 30 displayed on the main display 5 both applied to the dicegame of Yahtzee in the dice gaming device 1 will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 2 schematicallyillustrates the sub gaming image 20 on the sub-display 3 and FIG. 3schematically illustrates the main gaming image 30 on the main display5.

One set of games is constituted of plural rounds. In each round, dicedisplayed in the main gaming image 30 are rolled, two sets of holdingany of the dice and re-rolling the un-held dice are accomplished, andscores based on these results are paid out. These rounds are repeated tomeet a predetermined condition for termination of the game. Meanwhile,in each round, either a regular game in accordance with a regular ruleof Yahtzee or a mission game in which the player may get a higher scoreby accomplishing a provided mission accompanying the regular rule isexecuted.

The sub-gaming image 20 indicates a history of past games, accumulatedprogressive pools, a current score, payouts in accordance with thenumber of bets and such, as shown in FIG. 2. The player may determine adirection and a tactics of the game by referring the sub-gaming image20.

Describing details of indicated contents, arranged from the left to theright of the sub-gaming image 20, a score history table 22, dice history23, a progressive indicator 24, a round bonus table 25, a payout numberindicator 26, and a score-payout table 27 are indicated.

The score history table 22 is configured to indicate scores gained bythe player for past twenty games executed in the dice gaming device 1.The scores are arranged from the top to the bottom of the score historytable 22 in the order of being gained.

The dice history 23 is configured to indicate rates of appearanceprobabilities with respect to respective die numbers displayed in themain gaming image 30. The rates are indicated as respective die numbersof from 1 to 6 in the past one hundred times of rolling.

The progressive indicator 24 is configured to indicate number ofprogressive pools accumulated to the present. In this example, the dicegaming device 1 accumulatively stores number of medals correspondent to1% of number of medals bet by the player. In a case where all the rolleddice are “1” at a first rolling in each round, all the medalsaccumulated to the present are made to be paid out.

Further in a case where number of rounds reaches to ten, medalscorrespondent to 1% of number of medals accumulated in the progressivepool to the present are paid out. Moreover in a case where number ofrounds reaches to eleven, medals correspondent to 2% of number of medalsaccumulated in the progressive pool to the present are paid out.Furthermore, in a case where number of rounds reaches to twelve, whichis a final round, medals correspondent to 5% of number of medalsaccumulated in the progressive pool to the present are paid out.Thereby, the player can get an opportunity to obtain more medals bygetting winning combinations to continue rounds.

The round bonus table 25 is configured to indicate a round bonus gainedby the player to the present in a round bonus in which medals are paidout on the basis of the current number of rounds. For example, FIG. 2illustrates that the number of rounds of the current game reaches tenand 123 medals correspondent to 1% of medals accumulated in theprogressive pool sill be paid out as a payout.

The payout number indicator 26 is configured to indicate number ofmedals gained by the player in the current game to the present (morespecifically, number of medals to be paid out in a case where the gameterminates at the present).

The score-payout table 27 is configured to indicate a table in whichnumbers of medals to be paid out are respectively related to scores. Theindicated payout change in correspondence with number of bet medals.Consequently, the payout increase to be one multiplied by the number ofbet medals. For example, the score-payout table 27 shown in FIG. 2exemplifies a case in that five medals are bet for the game andillustrates that a payout will be 0 in a case where the score gained bythe player is from 0 through 119 and one will be 5 in a case where thescore is from 120 through 139.

Further, the score-payout table 27 is configured to indicate a scoregained by the player to the present and a correspondent payout. Forexample, FIG. 2 illustrates a case in that the score is 267 points andthe payout based on the score is 80 medals.

The main gaming image 30 indicates a score table, a state of the game bythe player, dice and such. The player reviews the main gaming image 30to proceed with the game.

Describing details of indicated contents on the main gaming image 30,arranged from the left to the right thereof, a progressive indicator 32,a score table 33, a round indicator 34, a credit indicator 35, a payoutnumber indicator 36, a dice indicator 37, and a rolling start button 38are indicated. The progressive indicator 32 and the payout numberindicator 36 are respectively identical to the progressive indicator 24and the payout number indicator 26 in the sub-gaming image 20 withrespect to contents thereof, therefore detailed descriptions thereofwill be omitted.

The score table 33 is configured to indicate winning combinations ofdice determined in the Yahtzee game (in this example, except acombination named “Chance”), scores gained by the respective winningcombinations, and a total score, simultaneously. Meanwhile, “Aces” and“Twos” as number combinations, “3 of a kind” and “Full House” as normalcombinations, and such are known as winning combinations in the Yahtzeegame, however, the concrete description thereof will be omitted as theyare publicly known.

The touch screen 6 is configured to allow the player to select one ofthe winning combinations displayed on the score table 33. Thereby, whena combination of dice 40 corresponds with two or more winningcombinations, the player is allowed to select one of the winningcombinations to fill a blank on the score table.

In the Yahtzee game as publicly known, the player proceeds with the gameby getting winning combinations of the dice 40 displayed on the diceindicator 37 to fill blanks on the score table 33 step by step. If theplayer fails to get a winning combination even after re-rolling the dice40 for two times, or gets merely a winning combination which had beenalready subject to filling blanks on the score table 33, the game willbe terminated at the point in time. Therefore, twelve rounds at amaximum will be executed in one game.

The round indicator 34 is configured to number of rounds at the present.The dice gaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment isconfigured to display rolling of five dice 40 and a resultingcombination thereof in the dice indicator 37 when the round starts.Re-rolling of the dice 40 will be allowed for two times and then oneround is terminated. If any winning combination which had been notsubject to filling a blank on the score table 33 is gotten, a next roundwill start.

The credit indicator 35 is configured to indicate number of medals betby the player at the current game and number of credits (creditedmedals) which the player possesses.

The dice indicator 37 is configured to indicate five dice 40. The dicegaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment is configured todisplay all the dice 40 as if rolling displayed in the dice indicator 37at a time of starting the round, and stop them as respectivelydetermined by generated random numbers. When the rolling start button 38is pushed down, only un-held dice among the dice 40 re-roll and stop inaccordance with generated random numbers.

The touch screen 6 is further configured to allow the player to selectany one or more of the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37.Thereby, at a time of re-rolling the dice 40, the player can touch thetouch screen 6 above the respective dice 40 to switch holding/un-holdingthe dice 40 individually. Letters of “HOLD” are respectively indicatedabove the held dice, thereby the player distinguishes the held dice fromthe un-held dice among the dice 40.

Details of rolling and stop of the dice 40 displayed in the diceindicator 37 will be described later.

The rolling start button 38 is configured to start re-rolling the dice40 as a still image in the dice indicator 37 at a time of being pusheddown. When the player pushes down the rolling start button 38, theun-held dice among the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37 startsre-rolling.

A process for playing the dice game (Yahtzee) by rolling and stoppingthe dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37 will be described withreference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 schematically illustrates the process forplaying the dice game by using the dice gaming device 1 in accordancewith the first embodiment.

When starting a round in the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with thefirst embodiment, five dice 51 through 55 displayed in the diceindicator 37 start rolling and stop to display still images 50A thereofin accordance with generated random numbers as shown at the top of FIG.4.

Next, the player selects none to five of dice to be held, morespecifically, to be re-rolled, in view of getting any winningcombination, as images 50B shown at the second row from the top of theFIG. 4. For example, this row illustrates that one pair of “5” iscompleted by the dice 52 and 53. Therefore, the player can expect to getany of winning combinations of “Fives”, “3 of a Kind”, “4 of a Kind”,“Yahtzee” and such and hence the dice 52 and 53 can be assumed to beheld. Meanwhile, the player is also allowed to hold all the dice 51through 55 to keep the current combination and then proceed with thecurrent round.

Then, by pushing down the rolling start button 38, the un-held dice (thedice 51, 54 and 55 in the example of FIG. 4 at the second row) start toroll and stop to display still images 50C thereof in accordance withgenerated random numbers as shown at the third row of FIG. 4.

Next, the player further selects dice to be held, more specifically, tobe re-rolled, in view of getting any winning combination, as images 50Dshown at the fourth row from the top of the FIG. 4. For example, thisrow illustrates that one trio of “5” is completed by the dice 52, 53 and54. Therefore, the player can expect to get a winning combination of“Fives” in pursuit of a higher score or any of winning combinations of“4 of a Kind”, “Yahtzee” and such, and hence the dice 52, 53 and 54 canbe assumed to be held.

Then, by pushing down the rolling start button 38, the un-held dice (thedice 51 and 55 in the example of FIG. 4 at the fourth row) start to rolland stop to display still images 50E thereof in accordance withgenerated random numbers as shown at the bottom of FIG. 4. For example,this row illustrates that one quartet of “5” is completed by the dice 51through 54 and any winning combinations of “Fives”, “3 of a Kind” and “4of a Kind” can be gotten. The player can select one of these winningcombinations to fill a blank of the score table 33. Then, the next roundstarts and the image comes back like as the top of FIG. 4.

Next, descriptions will be given to a mission game which occurs when apredetermined condition is satisfied in the dice gaming machine 1 inaccordance with the first embodiment. The mission game is a special gamewhich randomly occurs at a time of starting a new round in a regulargame already described above with reference to FIGS. 2-4. In the missiongame, the player is presented with a mission (for example, to designatea particular winning combination at the present round). A special scorehigher than normal will be given to the player when the player succeedsin accomplishing the mission.

A mission gaming image 60 displayed on the main display 5, which is usedfor playing the mission game in the dice gaming device 1 in accordancewith the first embodiment, will be described with reference to FIG. 5.FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the mission gaming image 60.

The mission gaming image 60 basically contains the same contents withthe main gaming image 30, however, a mission indicator 61 isadditionally indicated substantially at the center of the score table 33as shown in FIG. 5.

The mission indicator 61 is configured to indicate a content of themission in the current mission game. “GET WINNING NUMBER COMBINATIONS!”, “GET WINNING COMBINATIONS OF XX POINTS OR MORE !” and such can beexemplified as the mission.

When the player uses the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37 andthe rolling start button 38 to get a winning combination to accomplishthe mission indicated in the mission indicator 61, the round of themission game will be terminated at the point in time. Then a bonus point(for example, double of a normal point) as well as the normal pointcorrespondent to the gotten winning combination is added to the score.

A control system of the dice gaming device 1 will be describedhereinafter with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 schematically illustrates ablock diagram of the control system.

A play controller 72 in the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with thefirst embodiment controls the game executed therein as shown in FIG. 6.The play controller 72 is provided with a CPU 73, a ROM 74, a RAM 75, aclock generator 76 for generating a clock signal to drive the CPU 73, arandom number controller 77 for controlling generation of random numbersapplied to determining the die numbers and generation of the mission,and such.

The ROM 74 stores a procedure of the game as a sequential program. TheROM 74 further stores various other data, such as a die numberdetermination table for determining die numbers for rolling the dice, amission determination table for determining whether a mission gamestarts or not and which mission to be offered if the mission game isdetermined to start, and a play procedure table for determining aprocedure of the game. More specifically, the CPU 73 and such operatesin accordance with the sequential program and the data stored in the ROM74 to control the regular game and the mission game in the dice gamingdevice 1 in accordance with the first embodiment.

The RAM 75 provides a storage as a working area for the CPU 73 tooperate.

The clock generator 76 is provided with a clock oscillator 78 forgenerating a base clock having a predetermined frequency, and a divider79 for dividing the base clock to generate a driving clock signal fordriving the CPU 73.

The random number controller 77 is provided with a random numbergenerator 80 for generating random numbers within a constant range undercontrol of the CPU 73, and a random number sampler 81 for sampling anarbitrary random number from the random numbers generated at the randomnumber generator 80 and transmitting it to the CPU 73.

A plurality of I/O ports provided for the CPU 73 are connected to themedal sensor 87, the C/P switch 82, the HELP switch 83, the BET switch84, the MAXBET switch 85, the START switch 86, and such, which arementioned above. The I/O ports are further connected to a hopper driver91, a payout signal generator 94, a speaker driver 95, a LCD driver 96,a touch screen driver 97, and such.

The hopper driver 91 is connected to the hopper 90 for pooling themedals. Thereby, the CPU 73 is capable of making the hopper driver 91 topay out a predetermined number of medals from the hopper 90.

The payout signal generator 94 is connected to a medal pool 92 and themedal detector 93. The medal pool 92 is a circuit for storing number ofmedals inserted through the medal insertion slot 12 and given as awardsas a credit. The medal pool 92 is configured to store the number ofmedals as a credit to a predetermined maximum number. The medal detector93 is configured to detect number of medals paid-out from the hopper 90.

On the occasion when the medals are given as an award, when the payoutsignal generator 94 detects that the medals are stored as a credit andare paid out from the hopper 90 via the medal pool 92 and the medaldetector 93, the payout signal generator 94 transmits a payoutcompletion signal for informing the fact to the CPU 73. Further, on theoccasion when the medals stored as a credit are paid out, when thepayout signal generator 94 detects that the medals stored as a creditare paid out from the hopper 90 via the medal pool 92 and the medaldetector 93, the payout signal generator 94 transmits a payoutcompletion signal for informing the fact to the CPU 73.

The speaker driver 95 is connected to the speakers 4L, 4R for soundingmusic, effective sounds and such. Thereby, the CPU 73 is capable ofgenerating such sounds in cooperation with the state of the game via thespeaker driver 95.

The LCD driver 96 is connected to the sub-display 3 for displaying thesub-gaming image 20 as shown in FIG. 2 and the main display 5 fordisplaying the main gaming image 30 as shown in FIG. 3 and the missiongaming image 60 as shown in FIG. 5. The CPU 73 controls the LCD driver96 to controllably drive the sub-display 3 and the main display 5.

The LCD driver 96 is composed of a program ROM 101, an image ROM 102, animage controller CPU 103, a working RAM 104, a VDP (Video DisplayProcessor) 105, a video RAM 106 and such. The program ROM 101 stores aprogram for controlling images to be displayed on the sub-display 3 anda main display 5, and various selection tables. The image ROM 102 storespixel data for forming images displayed on the sub-display 3 and themain display 5, such as the sub-gaming image 20, the main gaming image30 and the mission gaming image 60.

The image controller CPU 103 is configured to select and read out imagedata among the pixel data stored in the image ROM 102 in accordance withthe image controlling program stored in the program ROM 101. The workingRAM 104 provides a temporary storage for the image controller CPU 103 toexecute the image controlling program. The VDP 105 forms images from theimage data selected by the image controller CPU 103 and outputs theimages to the sub-display 3 and the main display 5. The video RAM 106provides a temporary storage for the VDP 105 to form the images.

The CPU 73 is connected to the touch screen 6 via the touch screendriver 97. The touch screen 6 is equipped on the main display 5. Undercontrol by the touch screen driver 97, the touch screen 6 senses whereto be touched and outputs it as coordinate data to the CPU 73. Thereby,the CPU 73 is capable of sensing not only where the player touches onthe display but also where the touched point moves.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 11, descriptions will be given hereinafterwith respect to processing of the game by the play controller 72 in thedice gaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment. Respectiveprograms correspondent to flow charts illustrated in the drawings arestored in the ROM 74 and the RAM 75 and executed by CPU 73.

In accordance with a step S1, the CPU 73 determines whether the playerdeposits medals. The medal sensor 87 of the dice gaming device 1 inaccordance with the first embodiment detects insertion of the medalsthrough the medal insertion slot 12 and outputs the medal detectionsignal to the CPU 73. Thereby, the CPU 73 judges whether the playerdeposits the medals.

In a case where the player does not deposit medals (S1: NO), the processis left in the step 1 to wait depositing. In a case where the playerdoes deposit the medals (S1: YES), the process goes to the next step S2.Meanwhile, the medals inserted through the medal insertion slot 12 aredetected at the medal pool 92 to be stored as credits (one credit perone medal), and the stored number of credits is displayed in the creditindicator 35.

The step S2 includes processing bet acceptance, in which number of betsin the present game is determined on the basis of how many pushes theplayer do on the BET switch 84 and the MAXBET switch 85. Morespecifically, the step S2 is a process for receiving switching signalsoutput by the BET switch 84 and the MAXBET switch 85, in which each oneswitching signal from the BET switch 84 leads to one increment in numberof bets stored in the storage area allocated in the RAM 75. Moreover,when the switching signal from the MAXBET switch 95 is received, thenumber of bets stored in the storage area allocated in the RAM 75 isrenewed to be ten. As accompanying the renewal of the number of bets,the current number of bets are displayed in the credit indicator 35 andthe numbers of medals to be paid out indicated in the score-payout table27 are changed to those correspondent to the current number of bets.

A step S3 is to decide whether the player pushes down the START button15. More specifically, determination is accomplished in accordance withthe switching signal from the START switch 86, and, in a case where theplayer does not push down the START button 15 (S3: NO), the process goesback to the S2 to process bet acceptance. In a case where the playerdoes push down the START button 15 (S3: YES), the number of betsaccepted in processing bet acceptance is settled to start the game.

In a step S4, the CPU 73 processes to determine whether the mission gamestarts in the current round, and to determine which mission is given ina case of starting the mission game. The determination of which missionis given is accomplished in accordance with random numbers sampled bythe random number sampler 81 and uses the mission determination tablestored in the ROM 74.

A step S5 is to decide whether the mission game starts in the currentround in accordance with the result of the step S4. In a case where themission game is decided to start (S5: YES), the process goes to a stepS6 to process the mission game described later. In the step S6 toprocess the mission game, a mission is provided for the player as shownin FIG. 5, in which a higher score is given to the player byaccomplishing the provided mission.

In a case where the mission game is decided not to start (S5: NO), a newround starts in accordance with a regular game processing. First, in astep S7, determination of die numbers of five dice displayed in the diceindicator 37 is processed, in which five random numbers correspondent tothe five dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using the dienumber determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S8, the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37 startto roll and stop to display still images of die faces correspondent tothe determined die numbers.

Next, in a step S9, a process of holding the dice 40 is processed on thebasis of operation information of the touch screen 6. More specifically,the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodimentcontrols switching of ON/OFF of holding the pushed dice 40 based onpushing the images of the dice 40 displayed in the main gaming image 30as shown in FIG. 3. Meanwhile, the held dice 40 are displayed with theletters “HOLD” so that the player can discriminate them from the un-helddice.

Next, in a step S10, the CPU 73 decides whether the rolling start button38 is pushed or not in accordance with operation information of thetouch screen 6. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decidednot to be pushed (S10: NO), the process is left in the step S10 to waitpushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided to bepushed (S10: YES), the process goes to a next step S11.

In the step S11, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S9, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S12, the un-held dice among the five dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to display still imagesof die faces correspondent to the determined die numbers. As a result,the un-held dice are renewed to show new die numbers, thereby re-rollingthe dice is expressed.

Next, in a step S13, a process of holding the dice 40 is again processedon the basis of operation information of the touch screen 6.

Next, in a step S14, the CPU 73 decides whether the rolling start button38 is pushed or not in accordance with operation information of thetouch screen 6. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decidednot to be pushed (S14: NO), the process is left in the step S14 to waitpushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided to bepushed (S14: YES), the process goes to a next step S15.

In the step S15, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S13, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S16, the un-held dice among the five dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to display still imagesof die faces correspondent to the determined die numbers. As a result,the un-held dice are renewed to show new die numbers, thereby re-rollingthe dice is expressed.

Next, in a step S17, it is decided whether any winning combination tofill any blank on the score table 33 is gotten or not by the combinationof the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37.

In a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decided to be anywinning combination to fill any blank (S17: YES), further in a step S18,it is decided whether the combination is correspondent to two or morewinning combinations to fill any two or more blanks on the score table33. As such the combination, the images 50E shown in the bottom of FIG.4 can be exemplified, which simultaneously satisfies three winningcombinations of “Fives”, “3 of a Kind” and “4 of a Kind”.

As a result of decision in accordance with the step S18, in a case wherethe combination is decided to be two or more winning combinations tofill the blanks (S18: YES), selection of the winning combinations in thecurrent round is processed (S19). More specifically, the player selectsone desired combination from the winning combinations put forward as acandidate by touching the touch screen 6 above the name of the desiredcombination displayed in the score table 33. The CPU 73 specifies theselected combination in accordance with operation information of thetouch screen 6.

On the contrary, in a case where the combination is decided not to betwo or more winning combinations to fill the blanks (S18: NO), theprocess goes to a next step S20.

In the step S20, addition of scores is processed based on the winningcombination gotten by the combination of the dice 40 displayed in thedice indicator 37. More specifically, points are newly indicated in aplace among places displayed in the score table 33, which iscorrespondent to the winning combination gotten (or the selectedcombination in the step S19) by the combination of the dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37, and the total score in the score table 33 isalso renewed.

Next, in a step S21, a round termination is processed. In the process ofthe round termination, values of payout based on the score gained by theplayer at the present in the score-payout table 27 are renewed and thenumbers on the payout number indicators 26, 36 are renewed asaccompanying it. Moreover, the number of rounds at the present on theround indicator 34 is renewed in correspondence with the new round.Then, the process goes back to the step S4 to start a next round.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any winning combination to fill any blank (S17: NO), a gametermination is processed (S22). In the game termination, letters of“GAME OVER” to report termination of the game at the present to theplayer are displayed in the main gaming image 30.

Next, in a step S23, it is decided whether any payouts gained by theplayer at the current game composed of the plurality of rounds exist ornot. In the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with the firstembodiment, there are payouts based on the scores gained in the regulargame and the mission game as described above and payouts of round bonusand such paid out on the basis of the number of rounds continued to beplayed.

In a case where the payouts are decided to exist (S23: YES), creditscorrespondent to medals for the payouts are paid out as a process topayout in a step S24. The paid out credits are stored in the medal pool92 so as to be applied to bets in any following games or be paid out asmedals by pushing the C/P button 10. In contrast, in a case where thepayouts are decided not to exist (S23: NO), the main process program isterminated without executing payout.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, description will be given hereinafter withrespect to processing of the mission game in the step S6 in the dicegaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 11illustrate flow charts for processing the mission game in the dicegaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment.

In processing the mission game, first in a step S31, a mission selectedin accordance with the mission determination in the aforementioned stepS4 is indicated in the mission indicator 61 as shown in FIG. 5 to informto the player. Next, a round based on the mission game process starts.

In a step S32, determination of die numbers of five dice displayed inthe dice indicator 37 is processed, in which five random numberscorrespondent to the five dice are sampled by the random number sampler81 and the die numbers are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 withusing the die number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S33, the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37start to roll and stop to display still images of die facescorrespondent to the determined die numbers. Thereby, rolling of thefive dice in the mission gaming image 60 is expressed.

Next, in a step S34, it is decided whether the combination of the dice40 indicated in the step 33 corresponds with any winning combination toaccomplish the mission indicated in the step S31. For example, in a casewhere the mission indicated in the step S31 is “GET WINNING NUMBERCOMBINATIONS!” as shown in FIG. 5, it is decided whether the combinationof the dice 40 indicated in the step S33 corresponds with any of thewinning number combinations “Aces”, “Twos”, “Threes”, “Fours”, “Fives”,and “Sixes”.

In a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decided to be any ofwinning combinations to accomplish the mission (S34: YES), the processgoes to a next step S45 to process addition of bonus scores. In theaddition of bonus scores, a bonus point (for example, double of a normalpoint) as well as the normal point correspondent to the gotten winningcombination is added to the score. Further, points are newly indicatedin a place among places displayed in the score table 33, which iscorrespondent to the winning combination gotten by the indicatedcombination of the dice 40, and the total score in the score table 33 isalso renewed.

Next, in a step S46, a round termination is processed. In the process ofthe round termination, values of payout based on the score gained by theplayer at the present in the score-payout table 27 are renewed and thenumbers on the payout number indicators 26, 36 are renewed asaccompanying it. Moreover, the number of rounds at the present on theround indicator 34 is renewed in correspondence with the new round.Next, the process goes back to the step S4 to start the next round.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission in thestep S34 (S34: NO), the process goes to a step S35.

In the step S35, a process of holding the dice 40 displayed in the stepS34 is processed on the basis of operation information of the touchscreen 6. More specifically, the dice gaming device 1 in accordance withthe first embodiment controls switching of ON/OFF of holding the pusheddice 40 based on pushing the images of the dice 40 displayed in themission gaming image 60 as shown in FIG. 5. Meanwhile, the held dice 40are displayed with the letters “HOLD” so that the player candiscriminate them from the un-held dice.

Next, in a step S36, the CPU 73 decided whether the rolling start button38 (see FIG. 5) is pushed or not in accordance with operationinformation of the touch screen 6. In a case where the rolling startbutton 38 is decided not to be pushed (S36: NO), the process is left towait pushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided tobe pushed (S36: YES), the process goes to a next step S37.

In the step S37, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S35, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S38, the un-held dice among the five dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to display still imagesof die faces correspondent to the die numbers in accordance with theresult of determination in the step S37. As a result, the un-held diceare renewed to show new die numbers, thereby re-rolling the dice notheld in the mission gaming image 60 is expressed.

Next, in a step S39, in the same way as in the step S34, it is decidedwhether the combination of the dice 40 indicated in the step 38corresponds with any of winning combinations to accomplish the missionindicated in the step S31. In a case where the combination of the dice40 is decided to be any of winning combinations to accomplish themission (S39: YES), the process goes to the step S45 to process additionof bonus scores.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission (S39:NO), the process goes to a step S40.

In the step S40, a process of holding the dice 40 displayed in the stepS38 is processed on the basis of operation information of the touchscreen 6.

Next, in a step S41, the CPU 73 decides whether the rolling start button38 (see FIG. 5) is pushed or not in accordance with operationinformation of the touch screen 6. In a case where the rolling startbutton 38 is decided not to be pushed (S41: NO), the process is left towait pushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided tobe pushed (S41: YES), the process goes to a next step S42.

In a step S42, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S40, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S43, only the un-held dice among the five dice 40displayed in the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to displaystill images of die faces correspondent to the determined die numbers.As a result, the un-held dice are renewed to show new die numbers,thereby re-rolling the dice not held in the mission gaming image 60 isexpressed.

Next, in a step S44, in the same way as in the step S34 and the stepS39, it is decided whether the combination of the dice 40 indicated inthe step S43 corresponds with any of winning combinations to accomplishthe mission indicated in the step S31. In a case where the combinationof the dice 40 is decided to be any of winning combinations toaccomplish the mission (S44: YES), the process goes to the step S45 toprocess addition of bonus scores.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission (S44:NO), the process goes to a step S47.

Next, in the step S47, it is decided whether any winning combination tofill any blank on the score table 33 is gotten or not by the combinationof the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37.

In a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decided to be anywinning combination to fill any blank (S47: YES), further in a step S48,it is decided whether the combination is correspondent to two or morewinning combinations to fill any two or more blanks on the score table33. As such the combination, the images 50E shown in the bottom of FIG.4 can be exemplified, which simultaneously satisfies three winningcombinations of “Fives”, “3 of a Kind” and “4 of a Kind”.

As a result of decision in accordance with the step S48, in a case wherethe combination is decided to be two or more winning combinations tofill the blanks (S48: YES), selection of the winning combinations in thecurrent round is processed (S49). More specifically, the player selectsone desired combination from the winning combinations put forward as acandidate by touching the touch screen 6 above the name of the desiredcombination displayed in the score table 33. The CPU 73 specifies theselected combination in accordance with operation information of thetouch screen 6.

On the contrary, in a case where the combination is decided not to betwo or more winning combinations to fill the blanks (S48: NO), theprocess goes to a next step S50.

In the step S50, addition of scores is processed based on the winningcombination gotten by the combination of the dice 40 displayed in thedice indicator 37. More specifically, points are newly indicated in aplace among places displayed in the score table 33, which iscorrespondent to the winning combination gotten (or the selectedcombination in the step S49) by the combination of the dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37, and the total score in the score table 33 isalso renewed.

Next, in a step S51, a round termination is processed. In the process ofthe round termination, values of payout based on the score gained by theplayer at the present in the score-payout table 27 are renewed and thenumbers on the payout number indicators 26, 36 are renewed asaccompanying it. Moreover, the number of rounds at the present on theround indicator 34 is renewed in correspondence with the new round.Then, the process goes back to the step S4 to start a next round.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any winning combination to fill any blank (S47: NO), a gametermination is processed (S52). In the game termination, letters of“GAME OVER” to report termination of the game at the present to theplayer are displayed in the main gaming image 30.

Next, in a step S53, it is decided whether any payouts gained by theplayer at the current game composed of the plurality of rounds exist ornot. In the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with the firstembodiment, as described above, there are payouts based on the scoresgained in the regular game and the mission game as described above andpayouts of round bonus and such paid out on the basis of the number ofrounds continued to be played.

In a case where the payouts are decided to exist (S53: YES), creditscorrespondent to medals for the payouts are paid out as a process topayout in a step S54. The paid out credits are stored in the medal pool92 so as to be applied to bets in any following games or be paid out asmedals by pushing the C/P button 10. In contrast, in a case where thepayouts are decided not to exist (S53: NO), the main process program isterminated without executing payout.

As described above, the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with thefirst embodiment executes a procedure of the dice game including:determining whether the mission game starts at a time of starting around (S4); indicating the mission in the mission gaming image 60 (S31)if the mission game is determined to start (S5: YES); and terminatingthe round without giving a chance to re-roll the dice any more (S46) ina case where the displayed combination of the dice 40 is any of winningcombinations to accomplish the mission (S34: YES, S39: YES, S44: YES).As such automated procedure, the player becomes free from intricateoperations, such as re-rolling the dice with holding all the dice afteraccomplishing the mission. The dice gaming device 1 in accordance withthe first embodiment provides convenience and facility in operationthereof to play the dice game and enables pleasant and speedydevelopment of the game.

The dice gaming device 1 of the first embodiment omits meaninglessoperations which do not affect the result of the game. This leads tofurther convenience for the player.

The dice gaming device 1 of the first embodiment provides the missiongame instead of the regular game in certain chances to further raiseplayer's interest.

The dice gaming device 1 of the first embodiment further executes aprocedure of adding a bonus point correspondent to number of bets and akind of winning combination as well as a normal point correspondent tothe gotten winning combination to the score (S45) and, after this,paying out a payout correspondent to the obtained score (S54); and iscapable of providing more chances to the player for obtaining moremedals. It leads to raising the player's further intension on the game.

(Second Embodiment)

A dice gaming device in accordance with a second embodiment of thepresent invention will be described hereinafter with reference to FIGS.12 through 14. In the following description and the drawings,substantially the same elements as any of the elements of the dicegaming device 1 in accordance with the first embodiment will be referredwith the same reference numerals.

The dice gaming device in accordance with the present second embodimenthas a similar constitution with the dice gaming device 1 in accordancewith the aforementioned first embodiment. The procedure of controllingoperations of the device is also similar to those in accordance with thefirst embodiment.

A difference exists in that the dice gaming device in accordance withthe second embodiment terminates the current round without giving achance to re-roll the dice any more in a case where the player carriesout a predetermined operation in the mission game as well as thecombination of the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37accomplishes the provided mission, though the dice gaming device 1 inaccordance with the first embodiment do the same in a case where thecombination of the dice 40 merely accomplishes the provided mission inthe mission game.

Next, a mission gaming image 110 displayed on the main display 5, whichis used for playing the mission game in the dice gaming device inaccordance with the second embodiment, will be described with referenceto FIG. 12. FIG. 12 schematically illustrates the mission gaming image110.

The mission gaming image 110 basically contains the same contents withthe mission gaming image 60 (see FIG. 5) in accordance with the firstembodiment, however, a ROLL-END button 111 is additionally displayed tothe left of the rolling start button 38 as shown in FIG. 12.

The ROLL-END button 111 is configured to forcibly terminate the currentround at a time of being pushed even if any chance to re-roll the dice40 displayed in still images in the dice indicator 37 is left. Further,the ROLL-END button 111 becomes allowed to be pushed merely in a casewhere the combination of the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37is any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission indicated inthe mission indicator 61. At a time when the ROLL-END button 111 ispushed down, the current round in which the mission game is executedterminates and a bonus point (for example, double of a normal point) aswell as the normal point correspondent to the gotten winning combinationis added to the score.

Next, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, description will be givenhereinafter with respect to processing of the mission game in the stepS6 in the dice gaming device in accordance with the second embodiment.FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate flow charts for processing the mission gamein the dice gaming device in accordance with the second embodiment.Meanwhile, a main process program executed in the dice gaming device inaccordance with the second embodiment is identical to those of the firstembodiment and hence the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In processing the mission game, first in a step S101, a mission selectedin accordance with the mission determination in the aforementioned stepS4 is indicated in the mission indicator 61 as shown in FIG. 12 toinform to the player. Next, a round based on the mission game processstarts.

In a step s102, determination of die numbers of five dice displayed inthe dice indicator 37 is processed, in which five random numberscorrespondent to the five dice are sampled by the random number sampler81 and the die numbers are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 withusing the die number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S103, the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37start to roll and stop to display still images of die facescorrespondent to the determined die numbers. Thereby, rolling of thefive dice in the mission gaming image 110 is expressed.

Next, in a step S104, it is decided whether the combination of the dice40 indicated in the step 103 corresponds with any of winningcombinations to accomplish the mission indicated in the step S101. Forexample, in a case where the mission indicated in the step S101 is “GETWINNING NUMBER COMBINATIONS!” as shown in FIG. 12, it is decided whetherthe combination of the dice 40 indicated in the step S103 correspondswith any of the winning number combinations “Aces”, “Twos”, “Threes”,“Fours”, “Fives”, and “Sixes”.

In a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decided to be any ofwinning combinations to accomplish the mission (S104: YES), the processgoes to a next step S105 to decide whether the ROLL-END button 111 (seeFIG. 12) is pushed down or not in accordance with operation informationof the touch screen 6. In a case where the ROLL-END button 111 isdecided not to be pushed down (S105: NO), the process goes to a nextstep S106. In contrast, in a case where the ROLL-END button 111 isdecided to be pushed down (S105: YES), the process goes to a step S117to process addition of bonus scores.

In the addition of bonus scores of the step S117, a bonus point (forexample, double of a normal point) as well as the normal pointcorrespondent to the gotten winning combination is added to the score.Further, points are newly indicated in a place among places displayed inthe score table 33, which is correspondent to the winning combinationgotten by the indicated combination of the dice 40, and the total scorein the score table 33 is also renewed.

Next, in a step S118, a round termination is processed. In the processof the round termination, values of payout based on the score gained bythe player at the present in the score-payout table 27 are renewed andthe numbers on the payout number indicators 26, 36 are renewed asaccompanying it. Moreover, the number of rounds at the present on theround indicator 34 is renewed in correspondence with the new round.Next, the process goes back to the main process program to start thenext round.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission in thestep S104 (S104: NO), the process goes to a step S106.

In the step S106, a process of holding the dice 40 displayed in the stepS103 is processed on the basis of operation information of the touchscreen 6. More specifically, the dice gaming device 1 in accordance withthe first embodiment controls switching of ON/OFF of holding the pusheddice 40 based on pushing the images of the dice 40 displayed in themission gaming image 110 as shown in FIG. 12. Meanwhile, the held dice40 are displayed with the letters “HOLD” so that the player candiscriminate them from the un-held dice.

Next, in a step S107, the CPU 73 decided whether the rolling startbutton 38 (see FIG. 12) is pushed or not in accordance with operationinformation of the touch screen 6. In a case where the rolling startbutton 38 is decided not to be pushed (S107: NO), the process is left towait pushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided tobe pushed (S107: YES), the process goes to a next step S108.

In the step S108, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S106, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S109, the un-held dice among the five dice 40 displayedin the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to display still imagesof die faces correspondent to the die numbers in accordance with theresult of determination in the step S108. As a result, the un-held diceare renewed to show new die numbers, thereby re-rolling the dice notheld in the mission gaming image 110 is expressed.

Next, in a step S110, in the same way as in the step S104, it is decidedwhether the combination of the dice 40 indicated in the step 38corresponds with any of winning combinations to accomplish the missionindicated in the step S101. In a case where the combination of the dice40 is decided to be any of winning combinations to accomplish themission (S110: YES), the process goes to a step S111 to decide whetherthe ROLL-END button 111 (see FIG. 12) is pushed down or not inaccordance with operation information of the touch screen 6. In a casewhere the ROLL-END button 111 is decided not to be pushed down (S111:NO), the process goes to a next step S112. In contrast, in a case wherethe ROLL-END button 111 is decided to be pushed down (S111: YES), theprocess goes to a step S117 to process addition of bonus scores.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission (S110:NO), the process goes to a step S112.

In the step S112, a process of holding the dice 40 displayed in the stepS109 is again processed on the basis of operation information of thetouch screen 6.

Next, in a step S113, the CPU 73 decides whether the rolling startbutton 38 (see FIG. 12) is pushed or not in accordance with operationinformation of the touch screen 6. In a case where the rolling startbutton 38 is decided not to be pushed (S113: NO), the process is left towait pushing. In a case where the rolling start button 38 is decided tobe pushed (S113: YES), the process goes to a next step S114.

In a step S114, determination of die numbers of un-held dice among thefive dice displayed in the dice indicator 37, which are not held at thestep S112, is again processed, in which random numbers correspondent tothe un-held dice are sampled by the random number sampler 81 and the dienumbers thereof are determined to be any one from 1 to 6 with using thedie number determination table stored in the ROM 74.

Next, in a step S115, only the un-held dice among the five dice 40displayed in the dice indicator 37 start to roll and stop to displaystill images of die faces correspondent to the determined die numbers.As a result, the un-held dice are renewed to show new die numbers,thereby re-rolling the dice not held in the mission gaming image 110 isexpressed.

Next, in a step S116, in the same way as in the step S104 and the stepS110, it is decided whether the combination of the dice 40 indicated inthe step S115 corresponds with any of winning combinations to accomplishthe mission indicated in the step S101. In a case where the combinationof the dice 40 is decided to be any of winning combinations toaccomplish the mission (S116: YES), the process goes to the step S117 toprocess addition of bonus scores.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any of winning combinations to accomplish the mission (S116:NO), the process goes to a step 119.

Next, in the step S119, it is decided whether any winning combination tofill any blank on the score table 33 is gotten or not by the combinationof the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37.

In a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decided to be anywinning combination to fill any blank (S119: YES), further in a stepS120, it is decided whether the combination is correspondent to two ormore winning combinations to fill any two or more blanks on the scoretable 33. As such the combination, the images 50E shown in the bottom ofFIG. 4 can be exemplified, which simultaneously satisfies three winningcombinations of “Fives”, “3 of a Kind” and “4 of a Kind”.

As a result of decision in accordance with the step S120, in a casewhere the combination is decided to be two or more winning combinationsto fill the blanks (S120: YES), selection of the winning combinations inthe current round is processed (S121). More specifically, the playerselects one desired combination from the winning combinations putforward as a candidate by touching the touch screen 6 above the name ofthe desired combination displayed in the score table 33. The CPU 73specifies the selected combination in accordance with operationinformation of the touch screen 6.

On the contrary, in a case where the combination is decided not to betwo or more winning combinations to fill the blanks (S120: NO), theprocess goes to a next step S122.

In the step S122, addition of scores is processed based on the winningcombination gotten by the combination of the dice 40 displayed in thedice indicator 37. More specifically, points are newly indicated in aplace among places displayed in the score table 33, which iscorrespondent to the winning combination gotten (or the selectedcombination in the step S121) by the combination of the dice 40displayed in the dice indicator 37, and the total score in the scoretable 33 is also renewed.

Next, in a step S123, a round termination is processed. In the processof the round termination, values of payout based on the score gained bythe player at the present in the score-payout table 27 are renewed andthe numbers on the payout number indicators 26, 36 are renewed asaccompanying it. Moreover, the number of rounds at the present on theround indicator 34 is renewed in correspondence with the new round.Then, the process goes back to the main process program to start thenext round.

In contrast, in a case where the combination of the dice 40 is decidednot to be any winning combination to fill any blank (S119: NO), a gametermination is processed (S124). In the game termination, letters of“GAME OVER” to report termination of the game at the present to theplayer are displayed in the main gaming image 30.

Next, in a step S125, it is decided whether any payouts gained by theplayer at the current game composed of the plurality of rounds exist ornot. In the dice gaming device 1 in accordance with the firstembodiment, there are payouts based on the scores gained in the regulargame and the mission game as described above and payouts of round bonusand such paid out on the basis of the number of rounds continued to beplayed.

In a case where the payouts are decided to exist (S125: YES), creditscorrespondent to medals for the payouts are paid out as a process topayout in a step S126. The paid out credits are stored in the medal pool92 so as to be applied to bets in any following games or be paid out asmedals by pushing the C/P button 10. In contrast, in a case where thepayouts are decided not to exist (S125: NO), the main process program isterminated without executing payout.

As described above, the dice gaming device in accordance with the secondembodiment executes a procedure of the dice game including: determiningwhether the mission game starts at a time of starting a round (S4);indicating the mission in the mission gaming image 110 (S101) if themission game is determined to start (S5: YES); and terminating the roundwithout giving a chance to re-roll the dice any more (S118) in a casewhere the displayed combination of the dice 40 is any of winningcombinations to accomplish the mission (S104: YES, S110: YES) andfurther the ROLL-END button 111 is pushed down (S105: YES, S111: YES).As such automated procedure, the player becomes free from intricateoperations, such as re-rolling the dice with holding all the dice afteraccomplishing the mission. The dice gaming device in accordance with thesecond embodiment provides convenience and facility in operation thereofto play the dice game and enables pleasant and speedy development of thegame.

The dice gaming device of the second embodiment omits meaninglessoperations which do not affect the result of the game. This leads tofurther convenience for the player.

The dice gaming device of the second embodiment provides the missiongame instead of the regular game in certain chances to further raiseplayer's interest.

The dice gaming device 1 of the second embodiment further executes aprocedure of adding a bonus point correspondent to number of bets and akind of winning combination as well as a normal point correspondent tothe gotten winning combination to the score (S117) and, after this,paying out a payout correspondent to the obtained score (S126); and iscapable of providing more chances to the player for obtaining moremedals. It leads to raising the player's further intension on the game.

Meanwhile, the present invention can be further enabled with modifyingthe above embodiments in accordance with the following.

For example, though whether the mission game to provide any mission tothe player is executed is determined by random numbers and thepredetermined mission determination table in the above first and secondembodiments, the determination may be dependent on another condition.For example, the mission game may be determined to start in a case wherethe combinations of the dice 40 displayed in the dice indicator 37continue not to establish any winning combination for a predeterminednumber of times, or in a case where a rate of payout goes below apredetermined value (for example, 70%).

Further, though the mission is indicated in the mission indicator 61 toreport to the player in the mission game in accordance with the abovefirst and second embodiments, the report may be made by voicesexplaining contents of the mission sounding from the speakers 4L, 4R.

Further, various degrees of difficulty may be respectively set to themissions and, if the player succeeds in accomplishing a mission having ahigher degree of difficulty, greater points may be awarded to theplayer.

Although the invention has been described above by reference to certainembodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to theembodiments described above. Modifications and variations of theembodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art, inlight of the above teachings.

1. A gaming device comprising: a game repeatedly executable to have aplurality of rounds; a display operable to indicate a mission andchangeable images for respectively presenting tips in use of the game; atouch screen for selection of the images, the touch screen beingsuperposed on the display; and a processor operable with the display andthe touch screen to proceed with the game, randomly select one or moreof the rounds to present the mission, change the images in associationwith the selection of the images, generate the mission in the game, andcalculate awards in association with combinations of the tips gotten ineach the round and results whether the mission is accomplished.
 2. Thegaming device of claim 1, further comprising: an acceptor to acceptbetting by a player; and a payout device to pay out the award.
 3. Thegaming device of claim 1, wherein the images include faces of dice andthe tips include dice numbers.
 4. The gaming device of claim 1, whereinthe tips include a table of the combinations of the tips applicable tothe selection by the touch screen.
 5. The gaming device of claim 1,further comprising: a storage storing a mission table including aplurality of candidates for the mission; and a random number generatorgenerating a random number, wherein the processor selects any of thecandidates in association with the random number to generate themission.
 6. A gaming device comprising: a first game; a second gameincluding a mission to be accomplished, the first game and the secondgame being repeatedly executable to have a plurality of rounds, thesecond game being randomly executed in any of the rounds instead of thefirst game; a display operable to indicate the mission and changeableimages for respectively presenting tips in use of the first game and thesecond game; a touch screen for selection of the images, the touchscreen being superposed on the display; and a processor operable withthe display and the touch screen to randomly select and proceed with oneof the first game and the second game, change the images in associationwith the selection of the images, generate the mission for the secondgame, and calculate awards in association with combinations of the tipsgotten in each the round and results whether the mission isaccomplished.
 7. The gaming device of claim 6, further comprising: anacceptor to accept betting by a player; and a payout device to pay outthe award.
 8. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the images includefaces of dice and the tips include dice numbers.
 9. The gaming device ofclaim 6, wherein the tips include a table of the combinations of thetips applicable to the selection by the touch screen.
 10. The gamingdevice of claim 6, further comprising: a storage storing a mission tableincluding a plurality of candidates for the mission; and a random numbergenerator generating a random number, wherein the processor selects anyof the candidates in association with the random number to generate themission.